A wireless technology that could hasten the arrival of the connected digital home has been give the green light by media regulator Ofcom. Ultra-Wideband (UWB), as it is known, can be used to connect devices such as PCs, mp3 players and digital cameras.

New legislation will mean UK users will not need a licence to use UWB devices when they hits shelves in the future.

UWB uses part of the radio spectrum to transfer large amounts of data, such as media files, over short distances.

Data can be shifted over distances of around 30m at up to 2 gigabits per second. However, its main use will be over much shorter distances for wireless USB, enabling a host of devices to connect to a PC without cables.